What is the british association for reunification of the parthenon sculptures (barps) ?
BARPS is a British campaign organisation with offices in central London. We co-ordinate a campaign of activities to promote the case for the reunification of the Parthenon sculptures currently housed in the British Museum, and commonly known as the ‘Elgin marbles’, with the remaining surviving sculptures in Athens, Greece. This campaign is based on the belief that the Parthenon sculptures are best seen and studied as a single archaeological collection in sight of the 5th Century monument they were once an integral part of, namely the Parthenon. On this website you will find information on the reunification debate, background to our campaign, different ways in which you can support the campaign, as well as details of the various resources located elsewhere online and in print. At any time, should you have any questions for which you cannot find the answers here, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Committee
The current executive committee members are:
- Honorary President Eddie O’Hara
- Chair Andrew George
- Vice Chair Rea Hajifanis
- Treasurer Matthew Taylor
- Secretary Maria Pulinger Koutsikou
Other members of the organisation include:
- Mr David Hill, Australians for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures and Chair of the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures
- Mr Christopher Miles, film director
- Mr Geoffrey White, barrister
- Mr Andrew Dismore Former British Labour Politician and London Assembly member
- Dr Christopher Stockdale
- Mr William G Stewart, broadcaster
- Dr Apostolos Polyzoides
- Mrs Jean Polyzoides
The original members of the Committee were:
Ms Nicky Artemi, campaign manager
Mr Peter Derow, ancient historian
Mr David Hill, Australians for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures
Ms Clare Makepeace, Parliamentary researcher
Mr Christopher Miles, film director
Mr Jerome Monahan, educationalist and journalist
Mr Edward O’Hara, Labour member of Parliament for Knowsley South
Mr William G. Stewart, broadcaster
Mr Matthew Taylor, architect
Mr Geoffrey White, barrister
Mr Malcolm Wright, internet consultant
History
In January 2002 a campaigning organisation called Parthenon 2004 was launched. The idea for the campaign, and its name, came about when a group of committed individuals felt that the staging of the Olympic Games in Athens, 2004 would provide a much needed and renewed focus for raising awareness about the reunification of the Parthenon sculptures. With the passing of the 2004 Athens Olympics, Parthenon 2004 became Marbles Reunited in 2005. Under these two names members have organised and/or had significant involvement in a large number of events throughout the United Kingdom and abroad.
Our aims
The aim of Marbles Reunited is to promote by lawful means the case for the return of the Parthenon sculptures currently housed in the British Museum to Greece.
The campaign raises public awareness of the issues surrounding the Parthenon Marbles by:
• Raising the profile of the return of the Marbles as a public policy issue by placing articles in the principle UK national media outlets.
• Engaging Members of Parliament in the debate about the Marbles by encouraging constituents to contact them.
• Engaging members of the public in the debate about the Marbles through exhibitions & increased media coverage of the subject.
• Enlisting the support of well-known public figures for the case for return.
• Enlisting the support of academics for the case for return.
• Encouraging debate about the Marbles in educational settings.
Public support
The Marbles Reunited campaign has attracted support from a large number of prominent British citizens, some of whom are listed below:
Olympic medal winning athletes
Linford Christie – Runner
Jonathan Edwards – Runner
Matthew Pinsent – Rower
Jayne Torvill – Ice Skater
Christopher Dean – Ice Skater
Daly Thompson – Decathlete
Steve Smith – High Jumper
Alan Wells – Runner
Politicians
Rt Hon Neil Kinnock – Former leader of the Labour Party
Rt Hon Michael Foot – Former leader of the Labour Party
David Stewart – Labour Member of Parliament (Inverness)
Ken Livingstone – Former Mayor of London
Other public figures
Stephen Fry – Actor, Author, Presenter
Judi Dench – Actress
Vanessa Redgrave – Actress
Fiona Shaw – Actress
Janet Suzman – Actress
Joanna Lumley – Actress
Louis de Berniéres – Author
Sir Ian McKellen – Film & theatre actor
Lord (Ted) Willis
C.M. Woodhouse DSO – Distinguished soldier, scholar and one-time MP
Lord Ponsonby – At that time Labour Whip at the House of Lords